Fashion pundits may set and wave off trends with a whiff of a new collection. But for the janta, Bollywood fashionscape matters. Love it or hate it but there’s no escaping it. And gone are the days, when Bollywood was all flashy and no class. With fashion designers calling the shots, our actors are the envy of every haute fashionista worth her Armani dress, Louis Vuitton bag and Prada shoes. Here we discuss five haute looks gifted by Bollywood to its fans this 2008.

Bipasha Basu in Race
Bipasha Basu has turned western with a vengeance. No wonder her racy wardrobe impressed even fashion guru Jean Paul Gaultier. Agnimitra Paul observes, “Bips simply followed the less is more diktat in Race. She looked absolutely gorgeous in the LBD and of course full marks to her for comfortably slipping her tall frame into short flared skirts, noodle strap tops and knee-high boots. Bips went for hair extension and extended her eye-liner quite like Sophia Loren. It shows she’s ready to experiment with her looks.”

Aishwarya Rai in Jodha Akbar
Tradition is evergreen. The strong impact of Aishwarya’s Jodha Akbar look on the Indian bridal bazaar is evidence. Trousseau specialist Ayan Sarkar says, “While the Rajput and the Mughal clan fully endorsed the ethnic look, the subtle difference in their culture and attire has been beautifully highlighted in the film. Aishwarya’s zardozi lehengas in sheer nets and silks dazzled in a riot of colours and the heavy kundan jewellery was a winner.”

Kareena Kapoor in Tashan
Kareena Kapoor looked quite like the poster girl of a vintage western movie in Tashan. Madame K’s almost size-zero figure and her itsy-bitsy teenie-weenie lime green bikini and outfits scored high on the fashion meter. Fashion designer Agnimitra Paul, says, “Kareena’s clothes were ultra-short. But the grunge look with a dose of feminine charm blended quite well. As for scene stealers, count her in the boho shorts and the midriff baring top. Next in contention was the black lycra mini skirt paired with grey spaghetti top and high heel boots. But beware, following the Kareena style is not meant for the meek-hearted. Opt only if you are confidence personified.”

Saif Khan in Race
Be it designer suits or casual garb, style was written all over Saif Ali Khan’s look in Race. Men’s wear designer Medhavini Khaitan says, “Suave Saif can carry any attire with perfect élan. The chote nawab’s style quotient hit the bull’s eye in Race. The stubble clearly added to his charm. Thanks to the actor, waistcoats are quite a catch this season. Pair it with jeans, a casual shirt and ankle high boots — ala Saif and you won’t go wrong.”

Skirts — knee, calf or ankle length — are fun summer and monsoon staples. Thanks to the variety of hemlines, all age groups can play around with this trend.  Minis are great if you have the legs to carry them. Keeping the weather in mind a flowy silhouette seems best. But you can look stunning in a pencil skirt for a night out. Prints purely depend upon your mood. As designer Anju Modi puts it, “Happy, colourful, floral, indigo, plain white and black — are all good options in skirts for this season.”

The advantage of wearing plain coloured skirts is that you can team them with either a blouse in a contrasting shade or go in for a printed top. A single shade is very pro-budget.
“The idea is to economise, not worry about wardrobe space as you have fewer things and have the freedom to mix-and-match,” adds Anju.  The typical churidar-kurta-duppata combo is passé. Dresses are hot but not everyone is comfortable in them. Skirts, on the other hand, appeal to all points out Anju. “If you don't have the perfect figure, wear long open-buttoned jackets over knee- length skirts for a slimmer look,” she advises. Leggings too go well with shorter skirts and the tops can always be on the slightly longer side if your abs is not the washboard variety. So, make your pick and skirt around in style!

It’s that time of the year when one simply fails to rework his or her wardrobe. Monsoon hits one’s wardrobe in the most awful fashion. The best of couture simply gets washed away with Rain gods at their naughtiest! Well, the least we can do is lend our ears to experts. Fashion connoisseurs give a lowdown on how to put the best foot forward; even if a puddle comes your way.

Restrained elegance
With the trademark accent on subtle, designer duo Abraham and Thakore have created a monsoon collection comprising relaxed separates in natural fabrics like high-twist cotton voiles and breathable cotton georgette. Muted colour story with ivory, pale khakhi, soft pinks and black narrates. And they embrace interesting motifs like elegant tulips, chandeliers embellished with crystals and the magnificent monuments.

David Abraham says, “It’s subtle but not minimal. This monsoon, we do not want to make a strong statement. It’s all about restrained elegance with easy separates. There is fair amount of volume, which gets its shape with tie-up detailing for uppers.”  Oozing sophistication, the collection comprises simple dresses, tunics, trousers, sarees and shirts. Abraham advises, “Please don’t wear white bottoms. Muddy hems look terrible. Wear whites for uppers for a fresh feel. Grey is a good option.”

Imprinted
If bold is your style, prints are a safe option for monsoon. By safe, we are referring to peek-a-boo disasters with sudden downpours. Prints come totally handy. Designer Dimple Varma of the label Turquoise and Gold agrees, “No fabric is great in the rain. You see the ugliest side of dresses during monsoon. So, keep it simple with sensible prints. Capris are used, abused and finished. Wear regular jeans and fold them up when you need to maneuver rain-washed muddy roads.” She suggests a nice aubergine in place of white and advocates knits, cottons, voiles and linens for the dampening season.  For fashion choreographer and designer Sheetal Sharma, monsoon is all about casual and practical. She says, “It is shorter pants and knee-high styles. Fabrics should not be body-hugging. Replace silks, georgettes and chiffons with knits like cotton woolies that protect you from the fierce wind.”

Key style
We asked our glam panel to advice on the ideal monsoon garb. David Abraham suggests, “Well-cut lightweight trouser with cotton tunic and waterproof flats. Sling on a scarf to play on the salwaar-kameez.” Colours are what Sheetal strongly advocates. She laughs, “Don’t get washed away by the monsoon and disappear into the earth. Avoid muddy browns and olives. Sport vibrant colours through accessories. Carry a funky designer umbrella and a stylish PVC bag. Wear waterproof ballerina shoes.”

Suggesting an ideal investment, Dimple says, “Honestly, a simple salwaar-kameez is the best option. It’s non-fuss and makes for great office wear. A dupatta is so multipurpose. Put it on your head when drizzling or put it around you when completely drenched.”The classic salwaar kameez or its modern version —splash some colour and let fashion fight monsoon faux pas this year!

Girls to wear only salwar kurta; boys: No low waist jeans. Late comers not allowed. Students not to be seen around after class hours.  These are rules which students have to follow in college campuses. With the new academic session dawning, the authorities are making it clear to the entrants that nothing is going to change. Maintaining a strict dress code policy is a top priority of many colleges. Father Abraham, Vice Principal of Christ College says, “We prepare our students for the professional world and thus promote maintaining rules. College isn’t a brigade road where you can come wearing anything and come. No vulgarity has ever been tolerated in our campus.”

However students feel differently. Tulika Rana says, “There can be a fair brief on what to wear and what not to. But college authorities should not be too particular and choosy. At times it becomes difficult for us to wear only salwars because we don’t have enough of them in our collection. Dress code rule can be implemented for two days in a week probably.”

Most colleges say that maintaining a dress code policy is just another aspect of academic discipline. They feel that students try imitating the culture of the west and therefore end up wearing weird clothes. And this influence is not only on students at degree level, but even at PU level. Says A. V. Somshekhar, Principal, Jayanagar PU College, “We are Indians and should stick to our culture. If girls wear jeans and T-shirts, it provokes boys. So we ask everyone to wear only formals.”

While in some colleges the moral policing ends at having a dress code, in some others there are a list of other rules for students to follow. Absentees and late comers have to pay hefty fine, cellphones if found being used in the campus is confiscated, and for those who are found hanging around in college after class hours, they too are  subject to some scolding from the authorities.  For many students it is nothing less than torture. Shreya Sinha, who is seeking admission in one of the city colleges, says, “So many rules leave us with no breathing space. We are adults and know what is good for us.

If the authorities impose something, students still do it stealthily. So what’s the use? They should allow us to enjoy college life and then we will also adhere to certain rules.” On the other hand, there are some youngsters who feel differently. Ankana Chakraborty says, “People might think that I am from an old school of thought but I support the dress code policy.  It is all about courtesy and decorum. Just as you don’t wear a torn jeans and baniyan to a restaurant, similarly you don’t wear belly showing tops to college.”

Rahul P., another student says, “However much we crib, the fact is we are still young and actually need to be told what is right for us. If cell phone usage is allowed, students will exploit the freedom during class hours also.  This distracts the entire batch. As far as enjoying with friends is concerned, its better to go out and have fun.  While colleges in the city are happy to impose such policies, for many students it is a way of curtailing their freedom and hence they break rules.  Probably if colleges involve the students in the rule making process, there will be very few to break them.